Automatic shutter-fastener



(M d L) T. J. DOTTS.

AUTOMATIC SHUTTER FASTENER. No. 273,265. 'PatentedMar.6,1'883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

THOMAS J. DOTTS, or READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC SHUTTER-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 273,265, dated March 6, 1883. Application filed October 0, 1882. (Model'.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. DOTTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Reading, county of Berks, State of Pennsylvania, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Automatic Shutter-Fasteners, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to that class of shutter-fastenings wherein the act of closing the shutter locks the same.

The object of the invention is to furnish a cheap and reliable shutter fastening or look, not liable to derangement, and which may be operated by a child, yet in everyrespect as secure as the ordinary shutter-bolt.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, in which similar letters re-- fer to similar parts, Figure 1 represents the automatic fasteners secured upon the sh utterflaps and viewed from the interior of the building. Fig. 2 represents asection through the shutters and a side elevation of the device. Fig. 3 represents the disengagement of the pawl, thereby releasing the lock of the shutters that they may be opened; Fig.4, afront, side, and end elevation of the latch-keeper and plate; Fig. 5, a front, side, and end elevation of the pawl or latch and its plate, in all of which- A A represent the shutter flaps or leaves, of the usual construction; B, the keeper-plate, having an abutment, B, raised thereon, the outer face of which'projects outward or away from the keeper-plate at an angle of about ten degrees, and has attached to its face, and forming an integral portion thereof, an inclined portion or keeper, E the plate being provided with countersunk holes B for attachment to the shutter.

0 represents the fulcrum-plate of the pawl or latch D. The latter is of a form similar to the abutment B, and is provided with a fulcrum and pin D, has its front face at areverse angle of ten degrees to the abutment, so that when the shutters are closed the face-of the abutment and pawl or latch shall lie in parallel lines. Its front face is further provided at D with a sunken inclined surface corresponding with the projected plane upon the face of the abutment, and of depth sufficient to clear the same. The pawl projects to the rear of the fulcrum, forming a tail, D as a purchase to raise the head of the same. The fulcrum-plate is provided with the usual screwholes, 0 and with stop 0, limiting the drop of the pawl, and stop 0 limiting the rise of the same.

The construction is quite simple, requiring very little fitting, and maybe furnished at a moderate price.

The operation of the device is as follows In the drawings the keeper-plate is shown attached to the shutter A, having the rabbet upon the inside, and the fulcrum-plate upon A, having the rabbet upon the opposite side.

This is immaterial, as the device is applicable to shutters made plain upon their meeting edge, mounted upon the shutters, as shown. The act of closing the same drives the pawl or latch D up the incline B and when the shutters come in line with each other the recessed portion D of the pawl drops over the projected plane B or keeper, and the shutters are securely locked or fastened together. As the keeper B is flush with the lower edge of the abutment B, the pawl cannot be lifted by the insertion of a wire or blade between the shutter-joint B preven ting the operation of the same.

With the ordinary shutter bolt or fastenerit frequently occurs in the experience of every householder that in closing the shutters from the outside one or more of the same will be leftunlocked, supposing that they were secured. With my arrangement this cannot occur. Whether they be closed from the exterior or interior of'the building, the-moment the shutters line with each other they are automatically locked.

v The object in angling the faces of the abutment and pawl is to give freedom to the move ment of the pawl. and to prevent shutters rattling in high winds, the projected ends of the abutment and pawl contracting on a very slight movement of the shutter.

To open the shutters it is only necessary to press down upon the tail D of the pawl,when the head D will rise above the keeper B and release the lock for that purpose. Stops C and O prevent the raising or lowering of the pawl above or below its best points of operation, and the head D having just sufficient excess of weight beyond that of the tail D to insure its fall at the proper time, it follows that the effort of avery small child will release the pawl from the keeper and permit the opening in form with the keeper B and a tail, D 15 substantially as shown, described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an automatic shutter-fastener, as described, the combination of a keeper-plate, B,

and its abutment B, and projected inclined 2o keeper B with the shutter A and pawl D on plate 0, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

THOS. J. DOTTS.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL 'l. P. KINSEY, THOMAS P. KINSEY. 

